Vernon Kay has sent a message of congratulations to his wife Tess Daly after her incredible achievement being recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. The TV personality was awarded an MBE for her services to broadcasting. She said it had been the “greatest surprise of my life”. The 56-year-old has co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing since 2004.
Vernon has shared a selfie with Tess to Instagram, alongside a picture of her and the late Bruce Forsyth who she hosted Strictly with. He wrote: “Well what can we say!!! Congratulations @tessdaly on your MBE. All the hard work and huge effort you put into everything you do has been recognised by the King.
“Being on Strictly from the start when our babies weren’t even born just proves how well you’ve done. Now they’re almost 21 and 16 and we’ve all enjoyed this journey together!
“Also, bravo everyone at @bbcstrictly and @claudiawinkle for consistently producing the best show every year!! Time to pop a cork me thinks.”
The couple met in 2001 and tied the knot in 2003. They met at a time when they were both starting their TV careers and grew closer when they were tasked with recreating a Britney Spears video together.
Vernon and Tess share two children – Phoebe who was born in 2004 and Amber who was born in 2009. Talking about being a dad, Vernon previously told the Daily Mail: “We let them be independent when it comes to their futures because it’s important that you allow them to find themselves which is character building and personality
Tess first appeared on TV screens in 1999 when she hosted The Big Breakfast’s Find Me A Model competition on Channel 4. Other presenting roles have included Just the Two of Us on BBC One and Royal Variety Performance.
The MBE recipient also shared a message with fans on Instagram today. Tess said: “Genuinely still pinching myself…Feeling extremely humbled and very honoured to be awarded an MBE for Services to Broadcasting in King Charles’ birthday honours list.
“If I could, I would dedicate it to all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with over the past 26 years. What an utter privilege it has been to work with so many legends of broadcasting and Knights of the Realm including Sir Trevor Macdonald and Sir Terry Wogan-and also to the Strictly viewers who have brought us so much joy over the past 20 years.”
Tess was inundated with messages of support from friends. Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse commented: “Wow congratulations”. And 2024 Strictly dancer Tasha Ghouri added: “Go you!!! Huge inspiration.”
Former Strictly winner Vito Coppola said: “Congraaaaaaats”, alongside a heart and clapping emoji and Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies stated: “Absolutely amazing huge congrats.”
TV presenter Claudia Winkleman said she is “incredibly grateful” to have been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours. The Traitors star was also recognised for her services to broadcasting.
Darts players Luke Littler and Luke Humphries also become MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours while tennis player Virginia Wade was made a CBE and knighthoods were confirmed for David Beckham and former professional rugby league player Billy Boston.